Do minority students feel safe?

“Just because there isn’t lynch mobs on campus, doesn’t make [WCU] safe,” said Amber Jenkins, a black Western Carolina student in a podcast interview. Western Carolina University has not had a spotless record when it comes to controversy. Several racist and, more recently, transphobic incidents have stained the university’s image for years now. Earlier in […]

Canes and confidence from a chronically ill and queer WCU student

Co-written with Jessica Stephens At first glance, Lennox Shuttleworth (they/he/she) may seem like the average college student, but their life story will tell you much more. They have their good and bad days, but unlike most students, it is because of the torturous pain and fear of being a queer, disabled person. Shuttleworth lays huddled […]

Clothesline Project comes in last week of Sexual Assault Awareness month

The Clothesline Project was on full display between the University Center building and the Alumni Tower on Tuesday, April 26. This was one of the last events in the last week of April, which WCU has labeled Sexual Assault Awareness Month.  Since 1990, the Clothesline Project is a national organization that has focused on having students […]

CAPS, REACH, or the Police: What to do in a domestic violence situation

It was a situation out of nearly every woman’s nightmares. On a Saturday morning, in mid-October of 2019, a female Western Carolina student (whom we will call “Anne” for privacy reasons) broke up with her boyfriend. His response spiraled into something that would cause panic throughout her entire household. The boyfriend had slept over at Anne’s apartment and […]

You’re not alone! Mental health and coping resources at WCU

Story co-written with Cami Couch and edited by Keegan Wiggins Coping is how to effectively manage something difficult going on in a person’s life. This is much easier said than done, which is why both healthy and unhealthy coping mechanisms need to be addressed for the students of WCU and the surrounding community to explore options […]

WCU community discusses hazing

Hazing is not something to only happen to greek organizations. In fact, as many WCU students learned during the film and discussion on Sept. 27 hosted by Greek Student Engagement and Development as part of the National Hazing Prevention Week, these humiliating ceremonies happen more often in sports. WCU Greek life director, Ron Schidemantle, and […]